On systematic approaches for interpreted information transfer of inspection data from bridge models to structural analysis

In conjunction with the improved methods of monitoring damage and degradation processes, the interest in reliability assessment of reinforced concrete bridges is increasing in recent years. Automated imagebased inspections of the structural surface provide valuable data to extract quantitative information about deteriorations, such as crack patterns. However, the knowledge gain results from processing this information in a structural context, i.e. relating the damage artifacts to building components. This way, transformation to structural analysis is enabled. This approach sets two further requirements: availability of structural bridge information and a standardized storage for interoperability with subsequent analysis tools. Since the involved large datasets are only efficiently processed in an automated manner, the implementation of the complete workflow from damage and building data to structural analysis is targeted in this work. First, domain concepts are derived from the back-end tasks: structural analysis, damage modeling, and life-cycle assessment. The common interoperability format, the Industry Foundation Class (IFC), and processes in these domains are further assessed. The need for usercontrolled interpretation steps is identified and the developed prototype thus allows interaction at subsequent model stages. The latter has the advantage that interpretation steps can be individually separated into either a structural analysis or a damage information model or a combination of both. This approach to damage information processing from the perspective of structural analysis is then validated in different case studies

BIM semantic-enrichment for built heritage representation

In the built heritage context, BIM has shown difficulties in representing and managing the large and complex knowledge related to non-geometrical aspects of the heritage. Within this scope, this paper focuses on a domain-specific semantic-enrichment of BIM methodology, aimed at fulfilling semantic representation requirements of built heritage through Semantic Web technologies. To develop this semantic-enriched BIM approach, this research relies on the integration of a BIM environment with a knowledge base created through information ontologies. The result is knowledge base system - and a prototypal platform - that enhances semantic representation capabilities of BIM application to architectural heritage processes. It solves the issue of knowledge formalization in cultural heritage informative models, favouring a deeper comprehension and interpretation of all the building aspects. Its open structure allows future research to customize, scale and adapt the knowledge base different typologies of artefacts and heritage activities

An Automatic Generation Method of Finite Element Model Based on BIM and Ontology

For the mechanical analysis work in the structural design phase, data conversion and information transfer between BIM model and finite element model have become the main factors limiting its efficiency and quality, with the development of BIM (building information modeling) technology application in the whole life cycle. The combined application of BIM and ontology technology has promoted the automation of compliance checking, cost management, green building evaluation, and many other fields. Based on OpenBIM, this study combines IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) and the ontology system and proposes an automatic generation method for converting BIM to the finite element model. Firstly, the elements contained in the finite element model are generalized and the information set requirement, to be extracted or inferred from BIM for the generation of the finite element model, is obtained accordingly. Secondly, the information extraction technical route is constructed to satisfy the acquisition of the information set, including three main aspects, i.e., IFC-based material information, spatial information, and other basic information; ontology-based finite element cell selection method; and APDL statement generation methods based on JAVA, C#, etc. Finally, a complete technical route and a software architecture, designed for converting BIM to the finite element model, are derived. To assess the feasibility of the method, a simple structure is tested in this paper, and the result indicates that the automatic decision-making reasoning mechanism of constructing element type and meshing method can be explored by ontology and IFC. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing an efficient method for automatic generation of the BIM structure model and a reference for future applications using BIM in structural analysis

Towards BIM/GIS interoperability: A theoretical framework and practical generation of spaces to support infrastructure Asset Management

The past ten years have seen the widespread adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) among both the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and the Asset Management/ Facilities Management (AM/FM) communities. This has been driven by the use of digital information to support collaborative working and a vision for more efficient reuse of data. Within this context, spatial information is either held in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models in a Common Data Environment (CDE). However, these being heterogeneous systems, there are inevitable interoperability issues that result in poor integration. For this thesis, the interoperability challenges were investigated within a case study to ask: Can a better understanding of the conceptual and technical challenges to the integration of BIM and GIS provide improved support for the management of asset information in the context of a major infrastructure project? Within their respective fields, the terms BIM and GIS have acquired a range of accepted meanings, that do not align well with each other. A seven-level socio-technical framework is developed to harmonise concepts in spatial information systems. This framework is used to explore the interoperability gaps that must be resolved to enable design and construction information to be joined up with operational asset information. The Crossrail GIS and BIM systems were used to investigate some of the interoperability challenges that arise during the design, construction and operation of an infrastructure asset. One particular challenge concerns a missing link between AM-based information and CAD-based geometry which hinders engineering assets from being located within the geometric model and preventing geospatial analysis. A process is developed to link these CAD-based elements with AM-based assets using defined 3D spaces to locate assets. However, other interoperability challenges must first be overcome; firstly, the extraction, transformation and loading of geometry from CAD to GIS; secondly, the creation of an explicit representation of each 3D space from the implicit enclosing geometry. This thesis develops an implementation of the watershed transform algorithm to use real-world Crossrail geometry to generate voxelated interior spaces that can then be converted into a B-Rep mesh for use in 3D GIS. The issues faced at the technical level in this case study provide insight into the differences that must also be addressed at the conceptual level. With this in mind, this thesis develops a Spatial Information System Framework to classify the nature of differences between BIM, GIS and other spatial information systems

Q: Why is a raven like a writing desk? A: They’re both objects

The famous riddle by Lewis Carroll is not really intended to have an answer, but rather to reveal the incomprehension Alice has of the world of adults. This paper is about a team of model-driven software engineers' concepts of "object" coming up against the building design sector's concept of "object", and challenging our assumptions about the clean and clever solutions that we can create with object-oriented metamodels and model transformation and code generation tools. However, the story has a happy ending in which the application of our tools in combination with pragmatic choices of representations of building designs still produces an outcome that meets our users' needs and avoids lots of bespoke programming